So mad at myself...can't stay in induction!

[AllieRichie]

OK, I have attempted Atkins Induction 3 times already!!! When the weekend hits, i'm doomed! I can't help eating the family dinners I love and the desserts....along with the wine or beer!

I just can't keep focused when the weekend comes.
Any helpful advice? I'd appreciate it!

[Elizellen]

Do you cook the family dinners Allie?
If not can you avoid being around when they are served and eat to plan instead?

You are in the habit of eating them so perhaps you need to change the habit to a new habit? Cleo posted about how she managed to kill the 'pizza night' habit by inventing a new routine.
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ght#post195573
Here is a short quote from thet insightful and helpful thread

I realize now that my reasons for NOT eating the pizza in the first place were because of external circumstances. That is, I didn't want to disappoint my husband; therefore, I didn't eat the pizza.

There was no common sense or motivation for ME to want to stop eating the pizza, and, as a result of my success being dependent on him, when he wasn't around, I just blew a gasket and ate.

It was only when I took responsibility for ME, rather than placing it on others that I really made the conscious decision to stop sabotaging my own efforts. It's easy to place blame on others for keeping the food around, or for a tradition you're afraid to break.

Hope this helps.

You CAN help yourself not to eat those foods if you plan an alternative rooutine.

[AllieRichie]

Hi, I appreciate your response. I know how to control my own family dinners, but on Sundays or Saturdays, we get together with my parents, sisters, and everyone usually brings something. I never have the dinners because my house doesn't seem the most comfy to all fit into with all the kids. But i'll feel so guilty not eating what they make for dinner and dessert. I can't not be with them for these dinners since we are very close and it is important.

I think it's half lack of will-power and half guilt on why I eat and ruin my diet.

[cleochatra]

Here comes some tough love.

Allie-- until you stop reaping the rewards of hiding yourself in traditions and in the resulting weight you're hanging onto, you are finding some reward in what you are doing. So much so that you are making excuses. You blame outside events for your actions. You're externalizing.

So, ask yourself if you're really ready to change habits, to halt traditions and to make a change in your life.

When you decide your health is more important than appeasing people over the dessert menu, you'll be ready to really make a change.

Until then, you're going to continue to blame others, events, and external occurances for your lack of control.

A solution? Here's two:

1. Join our reading club challenge by clicking my link in the siggy line. Grab a copy of Dr Phil's book and read about why you're doing this to yourself. He knows why you are. Don't you deserve to know, too?

2. Stop blaming extrenalities for your conscious actions. Nobody sits on you and forces the food down into your right thigh.

You just need that paradigm shift many of us have had to make. You'll be fine! Go for it!

[Moochiecat]

This is the time to recruit the best support team ever - your family!!
You say you are all close and they are important to you.....YOU are important to them too, don't forget that! They want to see you succeed and be happy and healthy! If you were a diabetic, I can bet you they'd be doing their best to help you, right?

I know you don't expect them to banish all spuds, pasta, rice, sugar, etc from the family dinners, but if you make them aware of some of your special needs, don't you think they might get excited about helping you and modifying a few things so you can eat them? Make an announcement about how you are going off of the 'whites' (white flour, white pasta, white rice, sugar) and are eating less processed foods, and that you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings if you aren't able to eat what they've made. Lay it out in the open so that you have to be accountable to them.

At the very least, you can teach them how destructive it is to say "Oh, just TRY it! Just one bite!!" by explaining to them that one bite will lead to two which leads to ...well, we all know what it leads to.

Get your family excited about what you are doing and let them know about your achievements! Once they see how you are progressing, they'll be so happy for you and want to help you even more.

Also, you might want to eat something before you go over there for dinner so you aren't as tempted to try things you shouldn't. Bring something legal that you can eat and keep your eyes opened to see what else you can have...it can be kind of fun.

Focus on what you can have as opposed to what you can't.

[manita]

Perhaps you can also bring a dish of your own that everyone can enjoy. Most times they will never know that it is "low carb". There are some awsome recipes here, especially in the sticky in "second time around club". There is a southwestern chicken one and a breakfast bars, heck there are even a few deserts there. Good luck from another newby. I know exactly how you feel, my husbands family is big on parties and food! I just bring my own dish or scout the place for eatable dishes.

[YaniBoni]

Allie, I totally know where you are coming from. I had attempted this diet MANY times before and never made it past day 2! this time I decide I HAD to do it. I failed the 1st weekend too! but then I started thinking, "what the heck am I doing following this WOE if I am going to flush my hard work down the toilet everyweekend?" so I decided I was either going to do it or not! no half & half! and today I acomplished my 2 weeks and have lost 10lbs and 17 inches! let me tell you I still did a no no! which was to drink caffenated coffee with low carb International delight, so that is my goal now...no more!

Now how about taking some low carb dishes to your family gathering? ohh I would also suggest eating at home before you go this way you are not soo tempted.....I baked cookis for my kids last night...& none for me

Keep going you CAN do it!